Bande Utkala Janani – ( Glory to Maa Utkala !!)
On April 1, 1936, Odisha became a separate province, after a
long struggle of over three centuries. The formation of Orissa province under
the British rule, separated from Bengal and Bihar, marked the beginning of a
new journey for the state.
Odisha Day, also known as Utkal Divas and Utkala Dibasa, is
celebrated on April 1 every year in memory of all the struggle that went into
gaining a separate political identity for the state that was once part of
Kalinga ruled by emperor Ashok, and later by Kharavela, remembered as a
conqueror and the champion of Jainism, before Mughals invaded and wrested it.
Utkala Dibasa:
History and significance
According to historians, Orissa was originally inhabited by
tribes that lived in its hills and plains. Later, it became part of Kalinga, the
ancient kingdom that Magadh King Ashoka invaded in 261 BC to expand Mauryan
rule. The ‘Great Kalinga War’ famous for the bloodblath it saw was eventually
won by Ashoka, though he could not enjoy his victory and soon embraced
Buddhism.
Apart from the Great Kalinga War, recorded history had few references
of the kingdom until King Kharavela’s rule began. In fact, Kalinga under
Kharavela had managed to avenge the Maurya invasion by defeating Magadh.
Historians say Kharavela, besides being known for establishing Kalinga as a
mighty political state of India, is also credited with laying the foundation
for Orissa’s fame as a land of art, architecture and sculpture.
Gajapati Mukunda Deva was the last Hindu King of Odisha, who
was defeated by the Mughals in 1576. In 1803, the British took over the reins
of the state, dividing it into several administrative units. The northern and
western districts became part of Bengal Presidency. Later, the coastal region
was made into the Province of Bihar and Orissa.
Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das founded a Odia social and
cultural organisation named Utkal Sammilani in 1903 to unite all Odia. A
revolution was started by them which continued for three decades under the
leadership of Utkala Gouraba Madhusudan Das, Utkala Mani Gopabandhu Das,
Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati, Pandita Nilakantha Das, Fakir Mohan
Senapati, Gangadhar Meher, Basudeba Sudhaladeba, Radhanath Ray, Bhubanananda
Das, A. P. Patro and many others with the support of the public.
Finally, British gave up and accepted Odisha as a province
of India ruled by them. It was 1st April 1936 when Odisha entered in state list
of INDIA with 6 districts only. Now we got 30 districts.
Unfortunately, he (Utkala Gouraba Madhusudan Das) passed
away on 1934, 2 years before he could witness his dream.
The state’s name was changed from Orissa to Odisha on 24
March, 2011, after Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament, gave its nod to
the Orissa (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2010 and the Constitution (113th
Amendment) Bill. The Lok Sabha, the lower house, had passed the bill and the
amendment to change the name of the state from Orissa to Odisha, and that of
its language from Oriya to Odia, on November 9, 2010.
Why Odisha - what we should know ?? why should we be proud off ??
Odisha has surprises at every corners..which the world is yet to explore
What you get only in Odisha ?
Olive Ridley Nest at Arribada, Gahirmatha Beach,
Rusikulya – The only place in India where they come every year
Odisha Pegion Post Service – One of the last
surviving Pegion Maling Service – Angul & Cuttack
Lasgest costal lagoon – Chilika and second
largest in World
Sambalpuri Hadndloom – Hand Woven Sarees and
Dress material
Irrawaddy dolphin ( rare species) found in Bharmhagiri, Chilika
Lake
Pattachitra - A traditional painting done on palm leaves
Top tourist attractions
Shree Jagannath Dham – Among one of the four Dhams
in India
Asia’s Largest Earthen Dam – Hirakud
Konark Sun Temple, Puri – World Heritage Site
Daringhbadi – Kashmir of Odisha
Jirang – Odisha’s little Tibet
Unique Odia Cuisnes
Pakhala - Pakhala is rice which is fermented
overnight with water and consumed with an assortment of fried vegetables and
fish.
Dalma - Dalma is dal (lentil) cooked with an
assortment of vegetables and spices.
Dahibara Aloodum
Pitha - Pitha is essentially cereal based
steamed cake. It’s the food for any occasion from the perspective of an Odia
household. The dish has many variants and much sought after amongst them are
ChakuliPitha, PodaPitha, Monda etc.
Rasagulla – Not Rosogolla….( We Odia’s call it
Kheer Mohan to be precise )
Chena Poda – Roasted Sweet Cottage Cheese
Kora Khai
The list will go unending....i may have missed few more important things...pardon me for it
I have tried to capture a few things for all of you to reverbate the Glory of our Great Motherland..
Be a Proud Odia...!!!
Bande Utkala Janani... Echo it Loud and Loud
Jai Jagannath...!!
Happy Utkala Divas
*Courtsey – Odish Tourism, My City Links and multiple sites.
